10 OCTOBER 1885, Page 2

As regards County Government, Lord Salisbury was not quite distinct.

He concedes Elective Councils, but wishes to limit their power, using the very odd illustration that he would allow the Councils to shut up public-houses on Sundays, but not on week-days. Moreover, he is inclined to make it a condition of County Reform that the whole system of rating shall be altered. His idea, though not formulated, is apparently to tax all property, for he uses this illustration,—If a man invests in Consols, he pays only Income-tax ; but if he invests in small houses, he pays Income.tax and rates as well. The consequence of that is that no one will build small houses, and the poor are badly lodged. That is quite true ; but are we to understand that the rating of personalty is part of Lord Salisbury's programme P